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| Raids target 'immigration abuse' | Raids target 'immigration abuse' |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| Police have arrested 70 men in an operation targeting abuses of the immigration system. | |
| Searches are being carried out at 22 sites in Greater Manchester, Liverpool, Ellesmere Port, Sheffield and Kent. | |
| Operation Chalice, headed by Merseyside Police, also involved the Department for Work and Pensions and the UK Immigration Service. | Operation Chalice, headed by Merseyside Police, also involved the Department for Work and Pensions and the UK Immigration Service. |
| Of the premises raided, 10 were restaurants, including the Shere Khan in Rusholme, Manchester. | Of the premises raided, 10 were restaurants, including the Shere Khan in Rusholme, Manchester. |
| Homes searched | |
| Residential and business properties were also searched in Greater Manchester. | Residential and business properties were also searched in Greater Manchester. |
| Kent Police said it executed search warrants at premises in the Bluewater shopping centre on Friday night and five men were arrested. | Kent Police said it executed search warrants at premises in the Bluewater shopping centre on Friday night and five men were arrested. |
| Police said 20 of the 70 arrests were made at two restaurants on Wilmslow Road in Rusholme - known locally as "the curry mile". | Police said 20 of the 70 arrests were made at two restaurants on Wilmslow Road in Rusholme - known locally as "the curry mile". |
| Police arrested 13 men at a restaurant in the Trafford Centre, Manchester and a further 7 at a restaurant and takeaway in the shopping centre. | Police arrested 13 men at a restaurant in the Trafford Centre, Manchester and a further 7 at a restaurant and takeaway in the shopping centre. |
| Seven men were arrested at a restaurant at Cheshire Oaks Outlet Village in Ellesmere Port, nine men at two restaurants in Liverpool and one at Sheffield's Meadowhall shopping centre. | Seven men were arrested at a restaurant at Cheshire Oaks Outlet Village in Ellesmere Port, nine men at two restaurants in Liverpool and one at Sheffield's Meadowhall shopping centre. |
| Later on Saturday, police said a further seven residential addresses in Greater Manchester and Liverpool were being searched by officers. | |
| 'Lengthy investigation' | |
| Other arrests were made in Rochdale, Hale Barns and Altrincham. Det Supt Steve Moore, of Merseyside Police, said the developments were the "result of a lengthy investigation into abuse of the immigration system". | Other arrests were made in Rochdale, Hale Barns and Altrincham. Det Supt Steve Moore, of Merseyside Police, said the developments were the "result of a lengthy investigation into abuse of the immigration system". |
| He added: "We have been working closely with colleagues in partner agencies and as a result have arrested a large number of people for offences under the Immigration Act. | He added: "We have been working closely with colleagues in partner agencies and as a result have arrested a large number of people for offences under the Immigration Act. |
| "These offences include the facilitation of illegal immigration and other offences under the Immigration Act." | "These offences include the facilitation of illegal immigration and other offences under the Immigration Act." |
| The managing director of the Shere Khan Indian restaurant chain, Steve Garrity, confirmed a number of his restaurants were raided by police. | The managing director of the Shere Khan Indian restaurant chain, Steve Garrity, confirmed a number of his restaurants were raided by police. |
| The men arrested, all aged in their 20s and 30s, are being held at police stations across England and are being interviewed by police and immigration officers. | |
Have you been affected by this story? If you have any information you would like to share with the BBC you can do so using the form below. | Have you been affected by this story? If you have any information you would like to share with the BBC you can do so using the form below. |
| You can send your pictures and moving footage to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 07725 100 100 | You can send your pictures and moving footage to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 07725 100 100 |
| Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video | Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video |
| When taking photos or filming please do not endanger yourself or others, take unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. | When taking photos or filming please do not endanger yourself or others, take unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. |
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